Stanislav Cherchesov in his interview with Sport-Express has commented on upcoming game to be played by Lokomotiv Moscow in Europe League.
Many years ago Lokomotiv managed to qualify to the Champions League after winning an extra match against FC Tirol that you were playing for. Next year Lokomotiv also had troubles qualifying from pair with GAK and in 2005 was beaten by Rapid Wien. What is the reason for difficulties that Lokomotiv have in games against Austrian clubs?
- FC Tirol was a rather strong opponent and had a good selection of players in 2001. It was not an occasion that we won the Austrian Bundesliga for three times in a row. And we had a great motivation and were fully mobilized even for not so important games. Strive for victory and struggle is actually typical for all Austrian clubs performing in Eurocups. Lokomotiv shall not therefore expect an easy walk on Thursday. It will not be possible to pass Sturm by displaying mere class and not making efforts. I have no doubts that the Austrian champion will perform at its best on Thursday.
- Sturm Graz is currently on position 5 after gameweek 7. It is 6 points behind the table leader Red Bull Salzburg. What happened to the champion?
- Sturm did not make any noticeable transfers before the season and is now competing in several competitions at once. The team is currently not quite able to do so. Its lineup is inferior to the one of the time when former Spartak players Yuran and Mamedov were appearing for Sturm Graz.
- It seems that Sturm’s lineup does not quite correspond to the level of champions. The team was held to draw by Salzburg, beat Rapid Wien, but was defeated by KSV 1919 which is now at the bottom of the league.
- You probably have noticed that Sturm plays better with stronger opponents and sometimes takes time to relax in games with less competitive teams, especially after important qualifiers in Europe. The level of the opponent is another source of motivation which makes the team to look different. Lokomotiv shall take this into consideration, along with a support of fans that I am sure will fill the stadium with the capacity of 17,000.
- WhomcanyoumarkoutinSturm?
- Goalkeeper Gratzei is aspiring to become No. 1 in the Austrian national. But he was strongly criticized after missing 6 goals in game against Germany, and might not be in the best mood, psychologically. I am also well acquainted with defender Ferdinand Feldhofer and midfielder Andreas Holzl whom I was coaching in Tirol. They are good and reliable players. Striker Mario Haas was known for his speed and troubles he caused to opponents in counter-attacks. But I am not sure if he still in the same shape at 36. Players become less stable with age and the same applies to defender Samir Muratovic, 35, who used to appear for Saturn Ramenskoe. Other key players in Sturm Graz are defender Thomas Burgstaller and halfback Manuel Weber. .
- Do you think Lokomotiv’s convincing win over Zenit will increase their chances for success in Graz?
- I was at the game and saw myself that having lost the first half, Lokomotiv managed to score an early goal, unbent, took control of the game and overrun Zenit. They are now going to Austria in a great mood, especially that goalkeeper Gilerme now seems to recover.
- What would you say about newcomers who joined the club this summer?
- The four goals to Zenit were scored by newcomers Caicedo, da Costa and Obinna, who started to justify club’s capital investments right away. There is no limit for foreign players in Eurocups, which means that Lokomotiv coach will have certain freedom in choosing the lineup in Graz.
- How do you think the game in Graz will end?
- Lokomotivwillwin2-0.
